National Candy Cane Day!

Mood:


Yay! For candy canes!I'm not too into them, but they're good if I'm in the 'mood'. There's so many different flavors too. Wow! Haven't posted in a while.Been a bit busy with catching up on things, and such. It's been warmer than it usually is this time of year. Supposedly, that's going to change soon, and get really cold. Oh joy!Also, earlier there was a pretty strong wind storm.


I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a really great one!As for the rest of us, I hope you had a great weekend. We actually did a very 'Jewish' thing. Ate at a Chinese buffet.It's a tradition, and usually people go to the movie theater afterwards. We didn't, although I watched a movie online. (Which I'll talk about later.) I really like most of the stuff they serve at this buffet called King's Wok. The stuff I like the most there is: garlic green beans, the bok choy, sesame beef, buttermilk donut things with sugar sprinkled on top, honey chicken, chicken dumplings (I think shumai), General Tso's chicken, vegetable lo mein, vegetable fried rice, spring rolls, chicken teriyaki on skewers, and more.For dessert, their apple pie and ice cream is awesome!I know apple pie isn't very 'Chinese', but they seriously make the best ones there.It's almost like a streusel, with the layered phyllo dough. It's not technically a pie and not really streusel either. It's like in a category all it's own.They should sell that outside of the restaurant. I'm sure they'd be rich. 

I have good news!Gintama is coming back in April! That's just a little over a year of it being 'on hiatus'.I guess they needed new material. Since, it's generally all based on parodies. One of the directors had said that it would definitely come back. It was just a matter of time. It better be good.I still love this show! I love how they can make you laugh one minute and cry the next. The fight scenes are amazing too. Hope they keep that up.

I watched a movie called Saigo no Yakusoku, or Last Promise. Five members of the band Arashi star in it. They've been in a few dramas and other movies. (One of them was the lead in Bambino) I like their acting more than their music.At least, so far. It was a pretty good movie, except the end was really corny. It had a lot of good actors that I've seen from other shows. That was a big plus. I like how when the 'bomb' blew up, it was just a tiny firework that went off. There's an interesting twist towards the end. A building has been hijacked with around 200 people as hostages inside. These 5 guys try to 'escape', and in the process, interact with the other hostages. It's better than it sounds.I won't reveal the ending. You have to watch it yourself. 


I went to Shabbat services yesterday. Actually had a good turn out. The Rabbi led it along with our cantor. There was another Rabbi that came to read the parsha. She's from the synagogue Mom and I sometimes go to. At one point we were a part of both congregations. I think they always have a Friday night service, and our's always has a Saturday morning. So, if you don't mind driving a lot, you could be covered for services.They lean towards being conservative. And, just a couple of years ago, they decided to become reform. So, it's kind of a different feel with their services. Anyways, the only problem I have with their Rabbi is, she doesn't sound very good to me when she chants or sings. Also, she has very conservative views. This was the first parsha in Exodus. About the very beginning of Moses' life. 


I posted that Flavour meme I've been working on for a while. Only had one person fave it so far. Which, I'm very grateful for.But, it's interesting that 55 people have viewed it so far. The faces ended up looking a little squished, because of the weird size of the slots they give you. But, I don't think it was too bad.

Later, we went to the supermarket. Found out they have frozen takoyaki. I was so happy, but remembered it had octopus in it. (I know, I kind of goofed. Considering, I know what tako is.) Therefore, it's not kosher and I couldn't bring it home.Oh, well. I asked about the fish shaped pastry called taiyaki. The manager of that section, said that those don't usually sell too well and so they don't have it. But, a similar pastry called imagawayaki, does and they had it frozen. So, we grabbed a pack of it. It looks like the pic when fresh. The name comes from the bridge it was first sold under. There's many different type of fillings you can have. Sweet azuki bean paste (aka an) is the most traditional. But, there's custard, fruit preserves, curry, different meat and vegetable fillings, potato and mayonnaise, just to name a few. We got the an one. It has many different names in different areas. And, supposedly was the origin of taiyaki. It's been around for over 200 years. I hope it's good.


We also got some gyoza. And, a jar of tikka masala. It sounded good and easy. We like chicken tikka masala, but I haven't had it from a jar before.


Watched the finale of Konkatsu. It definitely was a feel good ending. Kuni saves the neighborhood, everybody else took great risks to help. Including the president of the district. Kuni finally marries Haruno at the very end. Also, gets rehired to work at the Declining Birth Rates department. Yuko ended up with Shugoro, since they found out they had so much in common. The whole series really makes you feel good, and it was hilarious! Very good drama overall. The lead actor who played Kuni, Masahiro Nakai, won the Best Actor award at the TV Navi Spring 2009 Drama Awards for his role. 


Oh, I just turned on the Hebrew keyboard a couple of days ago! Now I can type in Hebrew! Go me! שלומ or Shalom! It means hello, goodbye, and peace!


deviantART faves: UK: APH OCs The Red on Santa is Blood Too Much Catnip Peanut Butter Hey Dude..... I did not make these! First, I really like these Hetalia OCs representing the rest of the UK. Nicely done. Better than a lot of others I've seen. Second, a drawing of Sougo, from Gintama, with blood spattered all over him. Very fitting, since he's very violent. Also, it's a quote from the series. Third, a very cute drawing of what happens when you give too much catnip to a cat. Fourth, very tasty looking peanut butter cupcakes. I love peanut butter! Fifth, a cool pic of 2 sparrows playing in water. 


Youtube:
桃ノ花ビラ or Peach Flower Petal by Ai Otsuka:

3 amazing songs from W&Whale performed live! I love Whale's voice!:



A Japanese spoof on TSA Airport Security: 

A tribute to Ai Otsuka:

Hilarious skit!:

International Mountain Day!

Mood:


The holiday was actually yesterday. But, I like mountains.Wow! I should have went hiking or something yesterday or today. I'm glad that another thing, we may take for granted, is being celebrated. I live in a mountainous region, and they're always beautiful and majestic to see.You can almost see Mt Rainier everyday. Then, we have the rest of the mountains in the cascades, too. I've hiked a lot of them. Most have spectacular views. Plus, a lot of them, like Hurricane Ridge, are known for their very friendly deer population. And, there's a lot of them.The rest of the wildlife are really cool to see, too. 


It's actually been warm the last couple of days. Well, for this time of year. Today alone, I think we're about 10 degrees warmer than normal. Since we went out so late to the grocery store, we didn't have time to have our regular Shabbat dinner.So, we ate there at the market. I got their really good Philly Cheese Steak with fries. Last couple of times I forgot that they add mushrooms, and oddly that it had onions. So, I asked for without those, and they added more meat and cheese. So good!I remember just before we were going to leave, that we didn't get the challah. So, I went to the bakery. There was only 1 person working the counter and someone ahead of me, wanted 3 bags of baguettes sliced.It took a long time, but they actually still had the one they hold for us. Yay!I asked if the Japanese section had taiyaki. The person who was there at the time, was new. So, he didn't know. Looked around that section for Korean, Japanese, etc, styled rice porridge there too. We didn't find it. Since we kind of know the manager of that section, maybe next time we'll ask her. And if not, we can ask if they'll be getting any of that in the future. And, maybe for now, next time I go I'll get the regular cream of rice stuff and add things to it.


One of my presents, I think I got on Friday, was a book light. It looks pretty sturdy. A bit difficult to put on a paperback book, but it works.There's also 2 settings for the light. It's bendable. I think I like it. I also got some pajamas, this design is called Aqua Dogs. Has dogs with hats, scarves, and sleds in the snow with an aqua background. Kind of cute.Mom also got me a thing that's similar to those Snuggies you see on TV. The only problem was, it's a little difficult to move around or walk in. Also, to keep up around the shoulder area. But, really, it's nice.I was really toasty last night. 


I went to services yesterday!We had an ok turn out. At least it was a minyan. The Rabbi led it again this time, next week it'll be our old cantor. I agreed with most of his drash. Kind of about: if it's not easy being a Jew (like there aren't many in the area), you build a better and stronger foundation, than if it was easy. I don't know if I worded that very well.But, you become stronger after going through that experience. I didn't think of it that way.I always wanted to live in heavily populated Jewish areas. I thought I could have a better 'grasp' of it, I guess. But, if I had lived there, maybe I wouldn't have felt that way and wouldn't have cared.


I watched Shinzanmono. It's getting even more interesting. I love all the interactions the victim had with the town's residents. Also, I wasn't quite expecting her ex to be hiding his daughter as his secretary. They made it look like they were having an affair or something. It was an interesting twist. So, they think her ex had nothing to do with her murder. But, towards the end, they find out that he gave a false alibi for that night. I still don't feel he did it. That there's a good reason for it, or someone framed him. 


I also watched Konkatsu. Haruno finally told Kuni how she really felt. But, he's not quite sure what to do. He loves her too, but can't come out and say it. The town's finally deciding to fight for their shops, and not just let those people evict them and build a mall there. They held a 'marriage festival'. It was actually pretty successful. I'm liking this show more and more. But, I'm almost done with it. I hope Kuni tells her how he feels, and the town's saved by the end. I'm hoping to start a new series today. Maybe I'll find something good in my list. And, I'll try to get some more music. 

It's Snowing!

Mood:


And, it's starting to stick. It's pretty and all, but makes it hard to move around, either on foot or by car. I'm not particularly happy about it.I'll have to break out my winter boots soon. We also have 3 chickens looking confused and cold in our backyard.They're not ours, just random chickens. I know we have a farm behind us, but there's a vast field, wire fence, and a green belt in between. Pretty difficult to make it here.A few months ago we had a chicken wandering around in the same area. Something's up. Oh well. They're entertaining.I hope they find their way back home eventually. 


It's World Hello Day! So, Konnichiwa! (こんにちわ!) Nihao! Shalom! Bonjour! Kalimera! Aloha! Hola! Hallo! Buon Giorno! And, hello to everybody out there, however you say it!My kind of holiday. It's nice, promotes world peace, and it's like a linguist holiday combined!


Went to services yesterday. Apparently, our cantor was in marching band too!It was cool to talk about it with her. I loved marching band so much! Started at the end of junior high on up to a couple of years in college. It was like a second family to me.Only problem I had was with my high school band director. We think she may have been anti-semitic. She also wouldn't let me join jazz band, because she said clarinets don't belong in it. Hello? What about Benny Goodman?! The only good thing with her, is she finally let me become section leader my last year.The section leaders in college, immediately told me I was good enough to play first and be section leader at my audition.I just didn't get enough confidence to try out to for section leader at that level. Of course it can be rough and a lot of work out there, whether on the field or marching down the street, but it was worth it.I only stopped because I almost broke my tail bone as we were about to rehearse on the field.Anyways, I couldn't high step anymore. It was very sad.Our cantor played the flute. She loved marching too. 


Our Rabbi's drash was about Jacob wrestling an angel, and the name change to Israel. (So, it went from 'heel' to 'one who wrestles with G-d'.) He said in order to become an adult, everyone goes through a 'dark' period in their lives. (Referring to him wrestling in the dark alone.) I agreed with most of it. I also got to say hello to the newborn baby.He's(?) really cute, and was staring at me for a while. 


Konkatsu was hilarious! They decided to do a Cat Fans' (really should be Lovers') Party. Where they exchange photos of their cats and talk about them. Somehow, following that plan, it would bring people together. But, it didn't turn out like they had planned. A guy who's like the president of the company's right hand man, shows up with his actual cat. All the girls go flocking to him, while the guys are sitting around looking dejected. Kuni tells him he'll have to take the cat somewhere else, and tries to hold him. The cat somehow escapes in the scuffle. So, they tell everyone the real party is to Search for a Cat. Nice save. They find the cat, and successfully got people together. 


Played a little of the Sims 2. Finally, put stuff on their walls and floors.For a while it was the plain stuff they give you at the beginning. Now it looks kind of cool. Some walls have a stone pattern, some have wooden moldings, etc. It was fun! But, I love how the first time I had everything set up perfectly, the power went out and I didn't save before it happened. Partially my fault and the weather's!


I watched Gonzo today. It's getting really intense, suspenseful, and just all around good. Sad that there's only one more episode.I truly will miss this one. Maybe I can look at the actors and what dramas they were in afterwards. And, add those to my growing to-watch list.


I had a lot of ideas for my story last night, so I decided to type them all up. Just so they're easier to get to.Seeing all these ideas together, it's looking really good. But, I still have to work a little more on character development before I can continue. 


I also joined another group on dA. Called Flavor Photography. Really has some tasty, and awesomely done pics of food.May be better than the Art of Food group I'm a part of. They also have some recipes.